This week in Ventura, I stood with my son, Ventura County Supervisor Vianey Lopez, Ventura Unified School Board President James Forsythe, and Board Vice President Shannon Trani Fredericks at the Ventura County Government Center. We came together not for politics as usual, but to stand in solidarity with communities across the nation grieving the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents; a moment that has sparked protests and calls for accountability nationwide.
Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse and U.S. citizen, was fatally shot by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis on January 24, 2026. His death, captured on video and widely shared across social platforms, has ignited a broad response of outrage, sorrow, and demands for transparency in federal enforcement actions.
Why We Showed Up
What happened in Minnesota is not distant to Ventura families. When a community member is killed by federal agents, and when questions about force, accountability, and transparency follow, that moment touches all of us. It reverberates through our neighborhoods, our schools, and our civic life.
Leaders from across sectors: local elected officials, community advocates, parents, and young people, gathered to say four things clearly:
1. We grieve with the family, friends, and community of Alex Pretti.
His life was dedicated to caring for others, and his death has raised urgent and serious questions about federal enforcement practices.
2. We believe that accountability and transparency are essential.
Across the country, people are demanding public information, independent investigation, and clarity about how and why this tragedy occurred.
3. We stand against violence and in favor of dignity for every human being.
At a time when federal policies and enforcement have created fear for many families and communities, it’s critical that local leaders speak up and show up for justice, safety, and respect.
4. We affirm that civic engagement, peaceful protest, and collective action are cornerstones of a functioning democracy.
Showing up in community is not symbolic… it is a calling and a responsibility of leadership.
Local Leadership in a National Moment
Today’s protests are part of a larger wave of demonstrations across the United States. In cities from Minneapolis to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, and beyond, people are taking to the streets to express outrage over Pretti’s death and earlier fatal encounters involving federal immigration agents.
In Ventura, we did not gather to make headlines. We gathered to model something more fundamental:
Leadership is not only about governance in calm times, it is about presence in moments of moral urgency.
By standing with community leaders and neighbors at the Government Center, we reinforced that those in positions of authority must remain accountable to the people they serve.
What This Means for Our Schools, Our Children, and Our Community
For many families, these national stories are not abstract. They create anxiety, fear, and uncertainty, particularly for students whose parents, relatives, or neighbors are directly impacted by federal enforcement actions.
This is why school board leadership must be grounded in compassion, transparency, and community responsiveness, not only reacting to incidents, but understanding how they shape the lives of the children we serve.
Strong schools are built on trust. Safe kids learn better.
And when local leaders show up for justice, dignity, and solidarity in times of crisis, it strengthens that trust.
Our presence at the Government Center was more than a protest photo… it was a signal:
That leadership understands its responsibility to stand with families, especially when they are hurting.
That courage matters.
That community organizes.
And that our schools and civic spaces remain committed to justice, safety, and truth.